Something transformational is happening in the gateway of Mission Bay Park in Pacific Beach.

Recently inhabited by Guy Hill Cadillac and San Diego Jet Ski Rental at 4275 Mission Bay Drive, the building has been demolished to be replaced by a three-level, mixed-use project with one level of retail/parking and 172 residential units.

Scheduled for groundbreaking in summer 2017, Jefferson Pacific Beach is a bay-front development on a nearly three-acre site comprised of 172-luxury apartment units including 14 affordable units (low income level), and 19,000 square feet of ground floor retail/office space. The land is situated at the gateway of San Diego’s Mission Bay Park in the Pacific Beach community.

JPI is one of the most active, privately-held real estate companies in America. The company’s portfolio includes low-density, garden-style, mid-to-high density wrap and podium projects, student living and mixed-use high-rise developments.

“The finance closing of the development will be in the second quarter of 2017,” said Myrna Marston of consultants MPR+Strategic Communications. “We are looking forward to introducing this project to the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach community in a bigger way once financing of the project closes.”

Previously, Pacific Beach Planning Group approved the high-profile mixed-use project, but advisory group members raised several concerns about it including possible negative traffic effects. Community planners suggested the project could incorporate more bike racks, be sustainable and add a children's playground, as well as encouraging the provision of office space.

PBPG raised the issue of possible problems with project construction, but were assured by developers that “there was no planned closure of Mission Bay Drive during construction, and that the (proposed) traffic light will not operational until first occupancy.”